A Darker Leopard

Chapter five: Who am I? Part 2

I flexed my claws in the light of the setting sun and layed my ears back, bending my spine with every hair on end. My chances of winning this fight are all too slim. But there is still hope.

First, I attempted the same trick I used on my sister as, once again, speed was on my side. I weaved my way through his legs and clawed at his flank.
"Run away, bothersome kit and I might just let you live." He tossed me aside with little effort and I let out a tiny mew of protest. It was rather disheartening, but not enough to make me stop. Far from it. I launched myself at his hind leg, mimicking the shake from so long ago.

The expression on his face was of immense pain. He couldn't hide that. I bit down harder and harder still, pulling out tufts of fur. He could have been wounded in a previous fight. My jaw must've been pretty strong, I swear I heared something crunch! Whilst causing as much discomfort as possible I caught a glimpse of his shadow... a paw ready to strike.

He struck the side of my head and sent me skidding across the sandy floor. As I collect myslef and shake my pelt clean of grit, the aduld limps away. He's already had his fill of this place. Neither of us can afford another injury. It was fun while it lasted. The adult had left what remained of the kill behind. Lunch.

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I was angrily paceing up and down my cave. I wish I could've finished it, it felt like I had left another loose end by letting the intruder go. Still, moonhigh patrol gave me a chance to see if the adult had returned. He hadn't. But there was something there...

I pricked my ears to locate the source of the heartbeat that I could sense. It was beating rapidly and it didn't seem like the small mammals I had been feeding off. Even so, in the dark of night, my body slowly lowered myself into a hunting crouch. I was downwind as I crept along the ground making little to no noize. I strained my senses a bit more. The outline of this animal seemed familiar... a little too familiar. My stomach sank when I realized who the strange figure was.

"I must say, I am a tad surprised to see you alive, sister."
She whipped her head round to see me.
"How long has it been? Almost a year?" She asked looking me over.
"I thought time was supposed to heal..." I don't know what game she is playing here, using old lines our mother used so long ago. What is she trying to do?
"Come now, we both know that's a lie." I was surprisingly calm.
"How did you survive?" I interrogated.
"Mumma dragged the dog away before she died... not that you need to know." She retorted.
"You had some unfinished business, didn't you? I believe you wanted to kill me...? I'm waiting." I had all the reason to kill her. She was trespassing and hunting in my territory. She attacked like I knew she would. I expertedly dodged it like it never happened. This was no challenge at all. I bit her on the hind leg.
"Spred word of my presence. Tell everyone you meet that there is a cat out here that will take on anything and leaves a bite on the leg as a mark of defeat. Tell them that you have the scars to prove it."
"Th-then m-may I have a n-name?" My sister stuttered. I thought for a long while. It dawned on me that Mumma hadn't ever given us a name.
"Shadowclaw."
"W-what?"
"Call me Shadowclaw."
"They shall all recognize your dark pelt. Consider it done." And she slunk away into the night.

Who am I? I am Shadowclaw!